Retail
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Aldi launches packaging-free refillable trial
Aldi has today (14 April) launched its first trial of packaging-free products, with a variety of rice and pasta on offer as part of a new refillable service.
Retailers including Morrisons and Superdry roll-out recycling solution for plastic fashion packaging
A string of big-name UK retailers have started rolling out recycled polythene packaging for garments and accessories, ahead of a new tax on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content.
Co-op bans sale of peat-based compost to reduce emissions
Retailer Co-op has introduced a ban on peat-based compost in a bid to help customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions footprint and reach its own carbon commitments.
UK's largest used books business targets carbon neutrality by 2022
World of Books Group, the UK's largest retailer for used books, has committed to becoming a carbon-neutral business by 2022.
Climate and waste: HelloFresh and Superdrug make new sustainability commitments
Meal-kit giant HelloFresh has pledged to halve food waste by 2022, in the same week that Superdrug's parent company, A.S. Watson Group, committed to eliminate unnecessary packaging.
Ocado and KP Snacks detail progress on plastic phase-outs
Online retailer Ocado had launched a refresh of its own-range products that will remove more than nine million pieces of packaging while also reducing the amount of plastic used, while KP Snacks has also announced packaging reductions.
Dixons Carphone plots path to net-zero supply chain emissions
After pledging to become a net-zero business by 2040, Dixons Carphone has announced plans to help its 10,000 suppliers measure and reduce their climate impact.
Circular economy models reduce costs and boost sales for major fashion brands
Outerwear brand FW and fashion platform Farfetch have revealed the results of two-year pilots of circular economy models, pledging to expand them following positive financial results.
Boohoo could lose right to export to US over forced labour claims
US authorities have reportedly launched an investigation into online fast-fashion giant Boohoo Group's supply chain practices, following allegations of worker exploitation at supplier factories in Leicester.
Survey: Circular economy businesses outperform those that take, make and dispose
Companies using circular economy models like refill, resale and repair generate have seen sharper revenue upticks than their traditional competitors, new market research has found.
Sainsbury's confirmed as principal partner for COP26
Supermarket Sainsbury's has signed for the highest tier of sponsorship for COP26, ahead of the event in Glasgow this November.
Greggs targets carbon neutrality and improved diversity through new sustainability pledges
Food retailer Greggs has unveiled a new set of sustainability commitments that will see it become a carbon-neutral business, use 100% renewable energy, reduce packaging waste by a quarter and improve workforce diversity.
eBay: Shoppers increasingly looking for 'eco' and 'sustainable' homewares during lockdown
eBay has revealed that searches for 'eco furniture' and 'sustainable furniture' have more than doubled year-on-year, suggesting that shoppers are increasingly looking for pre-owned and refurbished products due to lockdown.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Jessica Foster, Bensons for Beds Retail
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: Bensons for Beds' group energy manager Jessica Foster.
Climate Pledge: 20 businesses including IBM and Iceland Foods join Amazon's net-zero commitment
Tech giant IBM, supermarket Iceland Foods and food supplier Cranswick are among the 20 new signatories of Amazon and Global Optimism's Climate Pledge, which requires members to target net-zero by 2040 at the latest.
Purpose-led products: Ocado launches a dedicated aisle for B-Corp brands
Online supermarket Ocado has launched a dedicated virtual 'aisle' showcasing products from B-Corp certified brands, as customers increasingly look for more sustainable groceries.
Sainsbury's outlines science-based targets to slash emissions on the path to net-zero
Sainsbury's has unveiled a new ambition to reduce emissions from its supply chain by 30% by 2030, as it strives to become a net-zero business by 2040.
Ocado trials electric vehicles for rapid deliveries
Ocado has launched a trial of electric vehicles (EVs) for its rapid grocery delivery service in the heart of London, as part of the retailer's ongoing commitment to reaching net-zero emissions.
Sustainable fashion: Depop targets climate neutrality by the end of the year
Marketplace app Depop, best known for second-hand and custom fashion, has pledged to compensate for its entire climate footprint by the end of 2021 and to do more to prevent waste.
Waitrose Unpacked: Supermarket unveils next steps for plastic-busting refill scheme
After trials of packaging-free, refillable products proved popular with shoppers and reduced the supermarket's plastic footprint, Waitrose & Partners is planning to make the format easier to use - and to roll it out to more stores in future.
Less meat is the only pathway to tackling deforestation scarring soy supply chains
Voluntary commitments to sustainable soy supply chains won't stick in the face of ongoing deforestation scandals. Retailers and investors urgently need a Plan B, argues Feedback Global's Daniel Jones.
Tesco removes one billion pieces of plastic packaging
In 2019, Tesco pledged to remove one billion pieces of plastic packaging from its UK business by the end of 2020. The UK's biggest supermarket has now revealed it has met the lofty target by working closely with suppliers and own-brand design teams.
Plastic-free festive food and re-planted trees: How are businesses working to make Christmas more sustainable?
Retailers and delivery firms have faced challenge after challenge in 2020, having to re-adjust ways of working to get essential goods to those in need amid lockdown restrictions. Yet many have also managed to ensure that Christmas won't be the most wasteful - or emissions-intense - time of the year.
Zalando completes brand assessments as part of environmental disclosure drive
Online fashion retailer Zalando has disclosed its Tier 1 private fashion label suppliers in an efforts to drive transparency across the value chain, and is expecting brand partners to gain a full understanding of their key suppliers also.
Kingfisher partners with Rainforest Alliance on 'forest positive' commitment
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher has announced a new partnership with the Rainforest Alliance that will help the corporate become "forest negative" by 2025.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Oliver Knowles, M&S Property
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: M&S Property's R&D manager, Oliver Knowles.
M&S to relaunch Plan A sustainability strategy
M&S is planning to relaunch its industry-leading Plan A sustainability programme in 2021 to reflect on the changing environmental and social needs globally, with a new ESG Board Sub-Committee to be set up to scrutinise the strategy.
WHSmith targets net-zero emissions by 2025
Retailer WHSmith has unveiled a new five-year sustainability plan to reduce its operational emissions to zero by 2025, with the company set to engage with suppliers to help them become net-zero.
Just Eat, Co-Op and Bensons for Beds launch new EV schemes in time for festive deliveries
Retail giants Co-Op and Bensons for Beds, as well as takeaway delivery platform Just Eat, have launched new electric bikes and vans in time for Christmas.
Amazon reveals plans for 26 new large-scale renewable energy projects
Amazon has confirmed a major renewable energy investment project that will see it finance the construction of 26 new wind and solar projects totalling 3.4GW of generation capacity.
What makes a sustainability leader? Inside Ikea's Greenwich store
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Built Environment Project of the Year, Ikea.
Covid-19 can reinforce the green business case
Reconomy's head of sustainability Nathan Gray reflects on the appetite for businesses to drive a green recovery as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Report: Can the retail sector deliver a green recovery?
edie has published a new report detailing how retailers can build back better from the coronavirus pandemic by aligning long-term strategies with the need to combat the climate crisis, foster new innovations and ultimately spur a green recovery.
What does the green recovery mean for Black Friday?
After a month of lockdown restrictions, many UK retailers are looking forward to Black Friday to boost profits. But with consumers increasingly prioritising purpose and sustainability, and with the green recovery movement gaining traction, what will the sales event look like in 2020 and beyond?
Half of Ikea meals to be plant-based by 2025
Retail giant Ikea has pledged to ensure that 50% of the main meals offered in its restaurants, and 80% of the pre-packaged foods it sells, are plant-based by 2025.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Amali Bunter, Lidl GB
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: Lidl GB's senior responsible sourcing manager Amali Bunter.
Tesco targets net-zero by 2035, accelerating climate plan
Tesco has set a 2035 net-zero target for its UK business, bringing the date forward from 2050 after fresh investment in renewable energy and electric vehicles (EV).
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Hollie Clark, Aldi UK
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: Hollie Clark, Aldi UK's corporate responsibility manager.
WRAP: Lockdown has made Brits more aware of fashion's environmental impact
Almost two-thirds of adults in the UK say that lockdown has brought home the importance of their clothing lasting longer, and been a time in which they've learned more about the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
UK retail sector pledges to reach net-zero emissions by 2040
More than 60 leading retailers, including Pret UK, Burberry, Sainsbury's and Missguided, have pledged to support a new collaborative roadmap to transform the sector and its supply chain to net-zero emissions by 2040.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet the Co-op's Cathryn Higgs
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards entry deadline approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: Our Sustainability Leader of the Year 2020, the Co-op's head of food policy Cathryn Higgs.
‘Climate Pledge Friendly’: Amazon opens virtual aisle for more sustainable products
Amazon has become the latest retailer to signpost more sustainable products, launching a 'Climate Pledge Friendly' filter for shoppers in Europe.
Iceland trials plastic-free bread and potato packaging as Subway debuts cardboard salad boxes
Supermarket giant Iceland has begun trialling plastic-free packaging on products including potatoes and loaves of bread, in the same week that Subway confirmed plans to phase-out plastic salad bowls.
Meet edie's 30 Under 30 Class of 2020: Amy Blackwell, Sainsbury's
This new series profiles the members of edie's 30 Under 30 - a nomination-based community of 30 hugely talented young sustainability and energy professionals who have already achieved great things or are showing fantastic promise. Up next: Amy Blackwell, utilities and carbon reporting manager at Sainsbury's.
edie explains: Science-based targets
What makes emissions targets "science-based"? How can businesses go beyond 2C alignment and strive for 1.5C? And what role do these targets play in the net-zero movement? This free edie explains guide answers all of these questions and more.
John Lewis Partnership brings net-zero target forward to 2035
Waitrose and John Lewis' parent company has committed to becoming a net-zero business by 2035 - 15 years sooner than originally planned - as part of a sweeping new business strategy.
Report: 6 in 10 fashion giants see sustainability as 'key priority' amid Covid-19
In a survey of 150 executives from some of the world's biggest fashion firms, including H&M Group, Puma and Adidas, 60% named implementing sustainability measures as their top strategic priority in the wake of Covid-19.
Ikea unveils national buy-back scheme for used furniture in drive to become 'fully circular'
Ikea will start buying back customers' used furniture at stores across the UK and Ireland next month, in an effort to discourage "excessive consumption" and become a "fully circular" business by 2030.
SDG Spotlight: How Businesses Can Achieve Goal 9; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
edie's latest SDG Spotlight report, produced in association with UK Power Networks Services, looks at how businesses can transform operations, services, supply chains and strategies to help deliver Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
Food and retail giants to collaborate on government-backed scheme to reduce food waste
Some of the UK's largest retailers and food manufacturers, including Unilever, M&S, Nestlé and Amazon are collaborating to deliver a new network of "food waste champions" to help reduce the amount of food waste produced by the sectors.
H&M brings 'garment-to-garment' recycling machines in-store
H&M has installed a machine which disassembles old clothing and re-assembles the material into new textiles in one of its stores, in what it claims is a first for the fashion industry.
Aldi to remove single-use plastic bags from fruit and veg aisles
Aldi UK & Ireland will remove single-use plastic bags from the produce aisles in all of its stores by the end of the year, the supermarket announced today (2 October).
REI commits to halve emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by end of 2020
Outdoor apparel and equipment giant REI Co-op has revealed that it is on track to reach carbon-neutral operations by the end of 2020 through offsetting, and committed to halving its emissions footprint over the next decade.
Walmart targets zero emissions by 2040, won't rely on offsetting
US retail giant Walmart has committed to becoming a zero emissions business by 2040 by pledging to become carbon neutral across its global operations without relying on carbon offsets.
Carbon capture and EVs: Amazon unveils first beneficiaries of $2bn climate fund
Amazon has announced the first beneficiaries of its $2bn Climate Pledge Fund, with organisations developing carbon removal technologies, nature-based carbon markets and electric vehicle (EV) innovations set to benefit.
Flurry of corporate plastic announcements hints at a new normal for the circular economy
In what has been a bumper week for news stories on single-use plastics, edie explores how corporates are forging ahead with new collection and take-back schemes for recyclable packaging that had been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Retailers sign up to co-locate on UK's first electric forecourt
A host of retailers including WHSmith, Costa Coffee, Booths and Gourmade have enrolled into a new partnership with the UK's first electric forecourt, which is due to open near Braintree, Essex, this November.
HolyGrail 2.0: Major brands sign up to explore digital watermarks to improve packaging recycling
More than 80 major European brands, including P&G, PepsiCo and Mondi will collaborate to explore the feasibility of using "digital watermarks" to improve the sorting of recyclable packaging across the European Union (EU), as part of the HolyGrail 2.0 project spearheaded by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Tommy Hilfiger vows to become 'fully circular' by 2030
PVH-Corp-owned Tommy Hilfiger has launched a new environmental and social sustainability strategy, headlined by ambitions to make products "fully circular" and to operate "with sensitivity to planetary boundaries".
In charts: How the UK's green recovery is taking shape
EXCLUSIVE: An edie survey of more than 240 sustainability, energy and CSR professionals across the UK has revealed exactly what they make of the global reen recovery movement, and provided an update on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted day-to-day work in this sector. Here are the results...
John Lewis kick-starts furniture leasing trials as Ganni unveils rental-only collection
Department store John Lewis has launched a new furniture rental service, in the same week that luxury fashion brand Ganni debuted a new denim collection that is available to rent but not to purchase.
Retail giants prepare to launch TerraCycle's 'zero-waste' refill service in stores
Following successful online launches, retailers including Tesco in the UK and Carrefour in France are planning to bring TerraCycle's refillable model, backed by businesses like Danone and Unilever, to stores.
Morrisons planning to ditch plastic 'bags for life'
After removing 5p single-use carrier bags and trialling paper options, Morrisons is hoping to remove plastic 'bags for life' from all of its checkouts, should trials of alternatives prove successful.
Resale, repair and environmental labelling: Selfridges accelerates efforts to sustainably 'reinvent retail'
Selfridges has outlined a string of new commitments and pilot projects around sustainable materials sourcing, environmental communications and resource-efficient business models like repair, resale and rental.
Primark launches UK-wide fashion recycling scheme
Primark has installed take-back boxes for clothing, textiles, footwear and bags in all 190 of its UK stores, in a bid to reduce the amount of these items sent to landfill.
Iceland on track to become a net-zero business by 2042
Iceland Foods has revealed that it has reduced its operational emissions footprint by 74% since 2011, despite growing the business, putting it on track to reach net-zero by 2042.
Sainsbury's granted water self-supply licence
Sainsbury's has been awarded a self-supply licence for water and sewerage by regulator Ofwat, as it works to become 'water-neutral' by 2040.
Aldi to halve plastic packaging use in the UK by 2025
Aldi UK and Ireland has pledged to halve the volume of plastic packaging it uses annually by 2025.
Three-quarters of UK businesses 'reconsidering their environmental credentials due to Covid-19'
In a survey of 500 UK-based business decision-makers, almost three-quarters (72%) said that the pandemic has made them reconsider the environmental credentials of their organisation.
20 UK retailers to jointly plot course to net-zero ahead of national deadline
Boots, Next and Marks & Spencer (M&S) are among the 20 major retailers who have this week pledged to jointly develop a net-zero roadmap for the retail sector, with a target more ambitious than the national 2050 requirement.
O2 to install PPE recycling boxes in stores
Telecoms giant O2 will begin collecting used personal protective equipment (PPE) at UK stores this month, as part of a new partnership with Terracycle.
Rapid EV charging points to be installed at 10 major UK shopping hubs
Retail estate developer Brookhouse Group has opened rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging points at seven of its busiest retail parks and unveiled plans to install chargepoints at three more locations by the end of 2020.
Fashion footprint: Farfetch's new tool to highlight the environmental impact of clothing
Luxury fashion platform Farfetch has launched a new tool helping online customers to choose products with lower environmental impacts, including secondhand goods and those made using innovative renewable materials.
The Body Shop owner unveils 2030 net-zero commitment
Health and beauty giant Natura & Co - the parent firm of brands including The Body Shop and Avon - has unveiled a new package of sustainability commitments, headlined by a pledge to reach net-zero emissions within a decade.
Circularity in a post-pandemic world: An opportunity worth seizing
As part of the edie Explains: The circular economy guide for 2020, supporting partner Reconomy's business and industry divisional director Harvey Laud discusses the role of closed-loop ambitions in helping to deliver a green recovery.
Zalando unveils science-based targets, commits suppliers to set carbon goals
Online fashion retail platform Zalando has built on its commitment to carbon neutrality across its own operations by having targets to reduce operational carbon emissions by 80% and emissions from the production of private label products by 40% approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Zalando and Sustainable Apparel Coalition issue sustainable metrics for brands and retailers
German online fashion retailer Zalando has confirmed it will be the first retailer signed up to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to use a new module that will make sustainability assessments mandatory for its private labels and partner brands sold on its platform.
Iceland cuts food waste by 23%, aims for 50% reduction by 2030
Retailer Iceland has revealed it has reduced food waste by almost a quarter in the past two years, having reduced wastage by around 2,500 tonnes through redistribution schemes as the company targets a 50% reduction by 2030.
Vattenfall agrees to 8MW district heating scheme in Barnet
Vattenfall Heat UK will deliver an 8MW districting heating system to heat homes, schools and businesses in Barnet, with a view to removing all carbon-emitting sources from the system.
Mission Possible: The 2020 report
This exclusive edie report explores how a green recovery from Covid-19 can be achieved across six of the UK's biggest industries: Utilities, Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Hospitality & Leisure, and the Public Sector.
Superdrug ditches plastic from own-brand tampons
Superdrug has announced that it has removed plastics from its own-brand tampons and launched a new range of menstrual products made from organic and sustainably certified materials.
Mission Possible: edie launches new sustainable business report for the retail sector
edie has published a new Mission Possible report today (12 May) outlining the key drives, challenges and opportunities facing sustainable businesses in the UK retail sector.
Mission Possible: Achieving a sustainable future for RETAIL
edie’s insight report series provides an in-depth exploration of the steps that sustainability and energy professionals within Britain's retail industry can take to achieve a sustainable future, today.
Engagement, Net-Zero & Mission Possible: edie gears up for bumper month of online content and events
With the UK lockdown continuing into May, edie is keeping up the positive sustainability and climate action with a host of exclusive interviews and reports, two themed weeks of free online events, and the launch of the flagship Mission Possible 2020 report.
Building sustainable, climate-resilient supply chains for your business
This one-hour webinar will explore how businesses are moving from ‘risk’ to ‘resilience’ with their supply chains by championing sustainability, increasing transparency, and engaging suppliers with climate action.
Patagonia and Surfdome trial removal of plastic polybags for clothes
Online sports retailer Surfdome has partnered with outdoor clothing firm Patagonia to trial the removal of plastic polybags from clothes orders in a way that doesn't impact product quality or generate an increase in lifecycle carbon emissions.
Meat sector 'facing ruin' as climate change set to cripple earnings
The increased impacts of climate change coupled with rapid growth of alternative proteins will put "billions of dollars at risk" in the meat sector, as a new study warns that companies are failing to disclose climate-related data or examine how they would perform based on numerous climate pathways.
Aldi boss: We'll delist brands that don't act on plastics packaging
Aldi UK's chief executive Giles Hurley has written to suppliers of third-party brands, warning that they will be delisted unless they align with the supermarket's 2025 plastics packaging commitments.
Iceland slashes plastics packaging by almost one-third in two years
Iceland has posted an update to its commitment to remove all plastics from own-label product packaging by 2023, revealing that it now uses 29% less plastics in these applications than it did in 2018.
'A climate first': Ikea slashes global emissions as business growth continues
Ikea has recorded a year-on-year decrease in its total carbon footprint, despite expanding its operations, for the first time in its history.
How online retailing is allowing fast fashion to thrive
In the first of a two-part feature, edie's senior reporter Sarah George explores how booming profits for online retailers are driving a fast fashion mindset in the UK that could undermine efforts to champion sustainability in the fashion sector, unless business and consumers find their voice.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos unveils $10bn climate fund
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, widely regarded as the richest man in modern history, has pledged to funnel $10bn (£7.7bn) of his personal fortune into a new fund aimed at tackling climate challenges.
Journey to the top: Are today's sustainability professionals tomorrow's chief executives?
H&M's appointment of Helena Helmersson as chief executive marks the first time a global corporation has appointed a former sustainability manager to lead the company. Could this be a sign that sustainability is becoming so integral to business that today's CSR professionals are tomorrow's corporate leaders?
Partnerships: Re-dressing the sustainability power balance
Moving to environmental sustainability depends on innovation and concerted action through partnerships. And that always means listening to people - in the supply chain, with charities and NGOs - with very different outlooks, objectives and sense of purpose.
Sustainable Business Leadership Survey 2020 - The results...
This second annual survey reveals what "business leadership" looks like for sustainability, CSR and energy professionals across the UK, following our inaugural report in 2019.
Asda pledges to halve emissions by 2025
Asda has committed to halving its Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (power-related) emissions by 2025, under new targets which it claims are aligned with a 1.5C trajectory.
H&M appoints former sustainability manager as chief executive
Fashion giant H&M has named Helena Helmersson, who spent five years as sustainability manager, as its first female chief executive.
Iceland trials swathes of plastic-free packaging for fruit and veg
Iceland is set to trial plastic-free and low-plastic packaging across 38 of its fruit and vegetable lines, in a step towards its ambition for all own-brand lines to be free from single-use plastics by 2023.
edie's guides to net-zero carbon continues with the public sector
The fifth report in the series of edie guides on net-zero carbon has launched with a focus on the public sector.
